Would you buy a 30 year old truck with 51 miles on it?

[Citydude]

I just drove a 75 model to Alaska. All original just as I bought it at a junk yard. My suspension was still good. Putting a log loader on an 85 Mack now.

I love Macks! Real trucks for real work.

 

[PuffyC]

My mother had a car in similar condition - 24 years old but only a couple thousand miles. Always meticulously maintained by the dealer she bought it from. That was the car that taught me age was just as important as mileage when it came to used vehicles.

 

[redman135]

At that milage I think the truck was stationary run, ie just the engine running. Expect to replace the diff bearing and gearbox bearings as condensation will has rusted or etched the bearing hard facing and the bearing will fail rapidly as the hard facing breaks off.
Good bidding.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'd be very cautious.
Auctioneers Sell vehicles, they don't Buy them..


can you verify ANY of these claims ? could have started one of his daily drivers for phone verification

Like you, I love looking and buying old vehicles, equipment. Several years ago, I drove with a buddy, his truck and trailer 7 hrs one way to buy a very rare vehicle - verbal confirmation of purchase, and a certified bank cheque. Upon arriving for the $2300 El Camino purchase, I realized that it was a legitimate mess, and a project, extra parts, no papers, bill of sale only, out of province too. I was able to confirm the VIN and the vehicle status, but it was NOT a $2300 vehicle to me, and it was only very loosely as described. I offered $1200 or walked away with an empty trailer for the return trip. Once I got it home, it was a project. Two years later, and nothing done to it, I sold it for $3500. Never again, that out of province stuff was a hassle.

Apart from my reservations about an online / distant auction, it may well be worth bidding. Good luck.

There’s a complete set of pictures. Here’s one.

 

[Hay Dude]

At that milage I think the truck was stationary run, ie just the engine running. Expect to replace the diff bearing and gearbox bearings as condensation will has rusted or etched the bearing hard facing and the bearing will fail rapidly as the hard facing breaks off.
Good bidding.

Yeah, that’s a possibility I was concerned about. Thanks
Probably time to move on…

 

[oosik]

No - I would not buy that vehicle. When I buy vehicles - I buy brand new. I'm not looking to buy something that needs repair work. Life sends me enough problems to handle - I do not need to purchase problems.

 

[dodge man]

I restored a 70 Challenger convertible in the late 1980’s that had sat untouched for about 15 years. The engine had been rebuilt, installed but never run. I squirted some WD 40 in the cylinders and it started and ran fine.

The car I restored was mechanically pretty sound. Sitting wasn’t as hard on it as you’d think it would be. The big think is it was stored in a garage with a concrete floor. It wasn’t exposed to a lot of moisture. How was this truck stored? Concrete dry floor or gravel and moisture?

 

[Hay Dude]

I restored a 70 Challenger convertible in the late 1980’s that had sat untouched for about 15 years. The engine had been rebuilt, installed but never run. I squirted some WD 40 in the cylinders and it started and ran fine.

The car I restored was mechanically pretty sound. Sitting wasn’t as hard on it as you’d think it would be. The big think is it was stored in a garage with a concrete floor. It wasn’t exposed to a lot of moisture. How was this truck stored? Concrete dry floor or gravel and moisture?

Definitely in a garage with a floor. It looks pretty immaculate.
steering wheel, armrests and floor mat shows zero wear. Frame still pretty shiny, so no ground moisture under truck.

Remember, this is a 29 year old truck (1993)

Steering wheel still has “grip”, not shiny.

 

[dodge man]

It will most likely be in better shape than you think. It will also sell for a stupid high price also. If you find out what it goes for let us know.

 

[crashz]

At that mileage I think the truck was stationary run, ie just the engine running. Expect to replace the diff bearing and gearbox bearings as condensation will has rusted or etched the bearing hard facing and the bearing will fail rapidly as the hard facing breaks off.
Good bidding.

I bought a rear axle for a pickup that had the same issues. It sat for many years and the ring and pinion gear rusted so bad that the mating surfaces pitted. Since it was only one part, I was fine doing a full rebuild (bearings, seals, gears, etc.) but it was a lot of work. And that's one piece only.

However, that axle was sitting outside under an old truck in the dirt. This truck you are looking at was clearly stored in a dry location. If you are serious with the truck, I would grad a bore scope camera and poke it into the rears and trans just to check the condition.